An Elegant, Tranquil, and Tropical Wedding in Maui, Hawaii

When Tina, a scientist, and Matt, a dermatology resident, said “I do” in a beachfront ceremony in Maui, Hawaii, on June 17, 2022, it was a full-circle moment: Their first meeting, seven years earlier in San Diego, had taken place at a beachfront bar, and in 2018, Matt proposed to Tina during a walk on Waikiki Beach in Oahu. 

The couple knew they wanted to get married in the Aloha state, and worked with Erica Goldsmith of Couture Events to plan their outdoor ceremony and reception for 37 guests. “Hawaii holds such a special place in our hearts, so we envisioned a small, intimate, romantic destination wedding,” says the couple. A previous trip to the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort helped them narrow their venue options and focus on the creative parts of designing their event. “It was super fun and relaxed,” says Tina. “I loved how organized Erica is with her planning, and she went above and beyond to come up with original ideas for my dream wedding!”

With a palette of sunset hues ranging from bold pink to pale peach, a bevy of impeccable blooms along the aisle and lining the reception tables, and a custom-wrapped dance floor set up under the stars, Tina and Matt created a dreamy atmosphere for their elegant and stylish wedding. See all the details—captured by photographer Rebecca Yale—ahead.

Tina and Matt wanted to create a “romantic, intimate, and tropical” color scheme. Sunset-inspired pink, peach, and yellow anchored their palette, while a rich green—inspired by the island foliage—provided a lush, jewel-toned accent. Minimalist shapes, like a leaf pattern on the invitation from Minted and a delicate wave on the custom welcome bags, were a low-key nod to the location. “I loved making our welcome bags,” says Tina. “I had the most fun shopping for our welcome bags, color-matching, and personalizing the items to make our guests’ experience unique!”

The couple had an advantage when it came to choosing the perfect venue for their Hawaiian nuptials. “Matt and I visited Maui a couple years prior to our wedding and stayed at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort—it was love at first sight!” says Tina. “We loved that the upscale resort had a beautiful tropical landscape and a breathtaking gorgeous ocean view at the entrance. We also loved how quiet and peaceful the resort was throughout. It was the perfect vacation spot for adult travelers who appreciate quieter scenes and enjoy their time and space.” 

Tina chose a regal, A-line Badgley Mischka gown with floral beaded appliques and Chantilly lace draped over a shimmering glitter tulle skirt. Sparkling stud earrings and a vintage Badgley Mischka wristlet complemented the sumptuous fabrics. 

Tina’s pre-wedding skincare prep included exfoliation treatments, a hydrating mask, and a light SPF moisturizer. She asked her stylist from Meili Autumn Beauty to create a “natural, soft, Asian-inspired” look that wouldn’t be affected by the day’s wind or humidity. “I wanted a romantic, elegant hairdo with loose curls to complement the wedding dress, so after communicating with my hair stylist, she decided to texturize my hair with a twisting technique and created a beautiful flower-shaped bun, which I loved!” says Tina. 

Tina carried a bouquet of flawless peach peonies arranged by Mandy Grace Designs. “The pale peach was such a nice complement to the hints of peach throughout the ceremony and reception florals,” she says. 

Matt chose a light-colored suit with notched lapels from Emporio Armani. His pre-wedding skincare routine included exfoliation and a hydrating mask, followed by a grooming routine that incorporated gel eye pads, brow grooming, and anti-shine and blemish concealer.

For Tina and Matt, seeing each other for their first look brought back precious memories of their early relationship. “The anticipation made the first look photo session so vulnerable and intimate, and the sentiment reminded us of the first time we were going to see each other on our first date,” they say. “We felt like we had so much to catch up on and so much excitement for the big occasion to come.”

Guests mingled on the lawn ahead of the pair's ceremony—and took a moment to snap a photo and sign the pair's visual guest book.

The ceremony setup allowed attendees to take in the venue’s beautiful waterfront views as Tina and Matt exchanged vows under the sculptural branches of a blooming tree. “We loved that our ceremony venue, Laule’a lawn, was just the perfect size for our wedding party,” says the couple. Floral arrangements in pale pink, white, and peach surrounded the couple and lined the aisle, while white orchid leis were placed on each seat.

Tina’s parents escorted her down the aisle as musician Irene Ryding performed Wagner’s “Bridal March” on the harp. Officiant Pia Aluli led the couple through their vows; the newlyweds chose Jack Johnson’s “Better Together,” also performed on the harp, for their recessional.

Overhead lights suspended between towering palm trees helped define the space for the cocktail hour and reception. A wood-framed bar stocked with grapefruit-hued glassware and decorated with a profusion of oversized pink flowers served up two custom cocktails—a paloma and a mai-tai, each garnished with fresh fruit.

Tina and Matt worked with chefs at the resort to create an appetizer menu that honored their Asian heritage. “We offered an ahi poke maki roll, peking duck crispy bao bun, mochiko fried ginger shortfall, and foie gras torch,” they say.

The newlyweds were delighted to see Matt’s mother and aunt don traditional Korean dresses, called hanbok. “We loved that they incorporated their culture into getting ready for our wedding,” says the couple. “Purchased from Korea, the hanbok were definitely an eye-catcher! The intimate details and the colors looked stunning under the sun and they turned out so beautifully in our pictures!”

Magic hour-lighting cast a soft glow around the newlyweds as they shared a private moment on the beach after their ceremony. 

The couple’s planner set up dining canopies that made the open lawn feel cozy and intimate. Guests sat at several small tables framing the custom dance floor and facing the water, while garlands of foliage accented the corners of each canopy.

Planner Erica Goldsmith describes the reception aesthetic as “colorful and romantic—we wanted a clean look with bursts of color,” she says. Blush-colored linens, hanging rattan lanterns, and cane-back seating added natural color and texture. 

Centerpiece arrangements included the bright citrus tones and muted sunset shades of the wedding palette, accented by fresh apricots and stoneware vessels. Pink glassware, gold flatware, and tasseled menus elevated the outdoor space.

A custom-wrapped dance floor from Refinery & Co. Rentals mimicked the woven cane back on the reception chairs and the pale sunset color palette. “Our custom designed dance floor was breathtaking,” says the couple, who chose “Can’t Help Falling in Love” for their first dance. “Stepping onto the dance floor, we were so content and in sync with each other. For us, we felt like we were telling our love story that happened seven years ago when we first met.” 

As the sun set during the evening meal, the couple and their guests dined on a lavish, multi-course menu. “We definitely wanted our dinner to reflect the elevated atmosphere of the reception,” says the couple. “Guests enjoyed a surf and turf option: spiny lobster tail and wagyu stripling, accompanied by roasted garlic butter asparagus and scalloped potatoes.”

Tina (who changed into a Needle & Thread A-line dress after dinner) and Matt also put together a thoughtful menu of late-night snacks inspired by the local cuisine. “While we had some Hawaiian flair across our menus, our late-night snack focused heavily on Hawaiian treats,” they say. “We featured local-style noodles with pork belly and shrimp, a variety of musubi, and malasadas with chocolate sauce (think Hawaii’s version of a donut), along with some personal favorites: Philly cheesesteak nachos and hot honey mustard wings.”